Forum on Colorado Ag stresses innovation

Friday

Feb 15, 2013 at 5:00 PM

The critical role of innovation to the future of US agriculture was the focus of the Governor's Forum on Colorado Agriculture on Thursday in Denver.

LAKEWOOD, Colo. — The critical role of innovation to the future of US agriculture was the focus of the Governor's Forum on Colorado Agriculture on Thursday in Denver. The forum, called Cultivating Innovation: Creating Ideas for the Future, challenged attendees to think about the need for innovation when considering a future with a growing demand for food production with less land and water.

"The agricultural community continues to face challenges, but through innovation and productive dialogue, we hope to meet these challenges head-on to feed a growing world population," said Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture, John Salazar.

State and national leaders discussed a renewed commitment to innovation and its importance to the food system. Such calls for agricultural innovation come as farmers and ranchers are challenged to double food production by 2050 in order to feed a world population expected to top 9 billion people – while also conserving environmental resources and improving food safety.

"Ranchers and farmers have always been some of our country's greatest innovators, entrepreneurs and conservationists," said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. "Healthy working lands are the backbone of our economy, and we have many opportunities and challenges ahead to ensure agriculture continues to thrive in the 21st century."